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In Celebration of MHS Class of 1958

A Tribute and Celebration

We were the class of 1958, members of the Greatest Generation as well as children of the Greatest Generation. Born in 1940, we are also called members of the Traditional Generation.

Our childhood, post World War II, "was the best of times . . . it was the age of wisdom . . . it was the epoch of belief . . .it was the season of Light . . . it was the spring of hope . . . we had everything before us . . .we were all going direct to Heaven . . . ." (A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens.) At least, that's the way I felt about it. We were truly blessed.

- Ouida Tomlinson -

This blog is a place for 1958 graduates of Meridian, Mississippi, High School to stay in touch, post their news, items of interest and photographs.

CLASS OF 1958 MEMORIES (Click to read all posts relating to sports, honors, graduation and other memories of our class in 1957-58.)

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Meridian High School Football Team went undefeated in the 1957-58 school year when we were seniors. It was a terrific season. Even so, we were not identified as the Big Eight Champions for that year because another North Division team had perhaps played more games. Ralph Abraham, our class president, was a half-back for the; team. His recollection is included below. Perhaps you might also post your own memories of that football season.

The group picture of the team can now be downloaded from the web. It can also be enlarged to view online. The win-loss record is posted below.

From Ralph Abraham -

We did not win the North Big Eight Championship because we had a 6-0-1 record in the North, and Greenville had a 7-0-1. Even though we did not play them, they had a better record in the North. If you remember, we tied Vicksburg. We had a 10-0-1 overall record which was the best.

That year there was an epidemic of the "Hong Cong" flu. Corinth could not field a team, because of the flu: and we won it by forfeit. Coach Owens picked up a game with Picayune who had an open week. That accounted for our extra game. I think we were ranked # 1(?) but could not play for all of the marbles, because we did not have the best North record. That tie got us.

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat is real, and I remember it like it was yesterday. By the way Greenville defeated Brookhaven for the championship, so the North did win!

3 comments:

The ‘57-‘58 school year was my freshman year at Miss. State. Several of us boys decided to cut Saturday classes – yes, we went to class on Saturday mornings – one weekend. That way we could leave Starkville at midafternoon on Friday and get to Meridian in time for a Wildcat football game that night. We also wanted to visit with some pretty high school girls there in Meridian.

We got home to Meridian late that Friday afternoon and found out that the game had been cancelled due to the other team being down with the Hong Kong flu. So, there we were. We had cut Saturday classes for nothing.

Charles E. "Stuff" McCraney The question of what was the award/trophy that I received, standing by Oliver Buntin and Ralph Abraham in the picture. It was the Ben Cameron Award for the player that most exemplified the "Wildcat Spirit". Ben Cameron came to the school to meet me one day, however, it was on one of the few snow covered days where the "powers to be" could not make a decision to cancel school, so I with other football team members and their friends, took off for the sand dunes in Marion, sliding down snow covered hills with other members of the football team and their friends, truly exhibiting "The Wildcat Spirit". Oliver Buntin and I were voted captains of the 1958 football team by the team members and I will always remember and appreciate being judged by my peers on the team as a "team leader".I am retired from Civil Service with the Air Force Electronics Group in Warner Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. I wrote and maintained software programs for the "Gunship" for 15 years. I am still very happily married to Jeirenne Rainer McCraney and we live in Dublin, Georgia. We go on at least three cruises a year on Carnival and Royal Caribbean out of Jacksonville and Port Canaveral. We have two grown sons and 4 grandchildren living in Dallas, Texas and Maui, Hawaii. We have been blessed and we live a very good life.

Remember that game well. It was with Corinth; their coach called Wednesday AM saying that as of that morning he only could field 18 players and had to cancel the game. Coach Owens and Mr. Armstrong got on the line and by noon we had a substitute game with Picayune, but we had to go there. We played Friday afternoon and—as usual, -- won handily. We also got the Corinth game declared a forfeit, hence our 10-0-1 (!) record. Bill

Class of 1958 Reunion

Put another nickel in, in the nickelodeon, all I want is having you and music, music, music!

We're still dancing!

Class of 1958 Memories

To read all posts relating to sports, honors, graduation and other memories of our class in 1957-58, click here: Class of 1958 Memories

Birthday Calendar

FaceBook Page for Class of '58

Big thanks to Al Trussell who has created a FaceBook page for our class. Al says: "This group is for all Graduates of Meridian MS High School Class of 1958, Graduates of 3 or 4 years before or after are welcome to join. . . .
CLICK HERE to go to page.